Community Update, February 2022

COMMUNITY UPDATE Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

W E

February 2022

W E February 2022

Treasurer's Update Preschool Award Social Media Alert And More. . .

A Message from Your Superintendent I hope that this newsletter finds you and your family well and enjoying the final days of Winter.

It has been great to see so many things happening throughout the district and I hope that our families have had a chance to enjoy a few of them. This month, the Lady Rangers Basketball Team raised money for an excellent cause in hopes to help further the research for brain cancer. The Lady Rebels Basketball Team traveled to Marietta for a Division I sectional semifinal game and left with memories that they will never forget and a fantastic victory! These accomplishments coupled with the great things happening in our classrooms remind me of what an honor it is to be a part of Willoughby-Eastlake.

The road we have traveled together has made our district stronger and more resilient than any of us could have ever imagined. Remaining steadfast in our commitment to students, staff and our community will continue to bring great things to our schools!

Stay strong and stay well!

Sincerely,

Thank you Lady Rangers for making a difference!

Steve Thompson Superintendent Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools steve.thompson@weschools.org (440) 975-3757

Congratulations Lady Rebels!

February 2022

www.weschools.org

Treasurer's Update Congratulations Willoughby-Eastlake Treasurer's Department!

On February 15, 2022, the Auditor of the State of Ohio, Keith Faber, announced that Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools was one of ten entities in the state awarded the Auditor of State Award with Distinction. In his release Auditor Faber stated, "This award recognizes the hard work of the fiscal officers to keep clean, accurate records.

Their efforts go a long way toward making Ohio more efficient, effective and transparent."

In order to earn this award, entities must meet the following criteria: The entity must file financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office by the statutory due date, without extension, via the Hinkle System, on a GAAP accounting basis and prepare a CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report); The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Uniform Guidance (Single Audit) findings or questioned costs; The entity’s management letter contains no comments related to: Ethics referrals Questioned costs less than the threshold per the Uniform Guidance Lack of timely annual financial report submission Bank reconciliation issues Failure to obtain a timely Single Audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance Findings for recovery less than $500 Public meetings or public records issues The entity has no other financial or other concerns "I am proud to speak on behalf of the employees in the treasurer's department and to share our appreciation for the work put forth by many others. We would like to thank all of the people in the district that have helped to make this possible. Without your timeliness and accuracy, our team could not have earned this award. Furthermore, I would like to thank those in the treasurer's department for the dedication and hard work they have exemplified. It is a privilege to collaborate with them every day."

Nick Ciarniello, Treasurer/CFO

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

DISTRICT NEWS South Girls Basketball Post Season Lessons Click on the article below to read the news article featured in the News Herald about South girls basketball team.

Gray Game at North Raises Funds for Brain Cancer The 6th annual Gray Game, hosted by the North Lady Rangers basketball teams, raised over $2,500 for brain cancer awareness and research. This year's game held on February 9th was a triple header event featuring Freshmen, JV, and Varsity squads from North and South High Schools.

The event is in memory of Tom Henson, beloved father of Krystal Force and father-in-law to North Girls Basketball Coach Paul Force. Fans in attendance enjoyed three basketball games while helping to raise funds through 50/50 sales, a Chinese auction, a bake sale and t-shirt sales.

Planet Fitness sponsored the event and donated the specialty shirts the players received.

Click HERE to give to the National Brain Tumor Society.

February 2022

www.weschools.org

DISTRICT AWARDS & PROGRAMS W-E Preschool Receives Five-Star Rating The Willoughby-Eastlake Preschool has been awarded and maintained a Five-Star rating through Step Up To Quality from the Ohio Department of Education for the last 8 years.

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is a Five-Star quality rating and improvement system that recognizes and promotes early learning and development programs that exceed minimum health and safety licensing regulations.

Five Stars is the highest quality rating given to Early Childhood Programs in the State of Ohio.

Willoughby-Eastlake Preschool is one of only 24 out of 119 Early Childhood Programs in Lake County with a Five-Star rating.

As a district, Willoughby-Eastlake is proud to be able to offer this to our community.

Bunny & A Book Program - Donations Needed by 3/11/22 The Willoughby-Eastlake Preschool staff are asking for donations for their annual "Bunny & A Book" program.

The program, which encourages the district's littlest learners the importance of reading, kicks off when area high school students visit the preschool to read and hand out the reading bags before Spring Break.

Each preschooler will receive a new book and stuffed animal to take home.

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

SCHOOL NEWS NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

North High students host a geometry Carnival with fun games

SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

South wrestlers get ready for Sectionals

Senior Signing Days

Nia Guess Penn State New Kensington, softball February 2022

South students prepping the Spirit Store

www.weschools.org

SCHOOL NEWS

ACROSS THE DISTRICT

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

SCHOOL NEWS

E EASTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL M S

WILLOWICK MIDDLE SCHOOL

February 2022

www.weschools.org

WILLOUGHBY MIDDLE SCHOOL

EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ROYALVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

February 2022

www.weschools.org

THANK YOU EASTLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT This month the Eastlake Police Department assisted to facilitate the distribution of ten winter coats to students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and Longfellow Elementary School.

STAKES MANUFACTURING

On behalf of the students that benefited from your assistance - THANK YOU!

Stakes Manufacturing is a print on demand business that has recently found a new home in Eastlake, Ohio.

Jed Siefert, one of the founders of the company recently shared his vision of inclusion with the district. Stakes Manufacturing has a commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities and working to support and focus on their abilities which has resulted in meaningful employment for many students.

Many thanks to Stakes Manufacturing!

Social Media News- YikYak App, Parents Take Note The popular app, Yik Yak, was shut down in 2017 and has now returned.

There are a few things parents should be aware of but most importantly, this app creates a chat room and allows your child to communicate with others that are within five miles of their device, while those people remain anonymous. You can learn more about the app here: Yik Yak If you have not spoken with your child about the dangers of this app, please consider doing so today!

Stay smart and stay safe!

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

WMS WARRIOR ACADEMY During the months of January and February, the staff at Willoughby Middle School launched the Warrior Academy. The Academy was developed to create an educational environment to inspire learning. The program began with seven 6th graders and these students are mentored by 7th and 8th grade peers. The goal is to ensure that all students are successful by equipping them with the necessary skills to move forward in the educational process.

This week, the students participating in the Warrior Academy were able to enjoy their first collaborative activity with the YMCA while engaging in a physical fitness class.

COMMUNITY CORNER Willoughby-Eastlake Schools serves seven communities: Eastlake, Lakeline, Timberlake, Waite Hill, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills and Willowick. Many of these communities have recreation departments and senior centers that offer multiple events, classes and activities for students and their families. You can find their websites here and become active in your community!

EASTLAKE Recreation Leagues Senior Center

VILLAGE OF TIMBERLAKE Website

WAITE HILL Website

Willoughby Recreation Department Senior Center

WILLOUGHBY HILLS Recreation Department Senior Center

WILLOWICK Recreation Department Senior Center

*Lakeline does not have a website.

February 2022

www.weschools.org

ATTENDANCE NUMBERS Please be sure to report your student's absence.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Edison Elementary School

(440) 283-2176

Grant Elementary School

(440) 283-4085

Jefferson Elementary School

(440) 283-2177

Longfellow Elementary School

(440) 283-4086

Royalview Elementary School

(440) 283-2179

School of Innovation

(440) 283-2149

MIDDLE SCHOOLS Eastlake Middle School

(440) 283-4084

School of Innovation

(440) 283-2149

Willoughby Middle School

(440) 283-2182

Willowick Middle School

(440) 283-2183

HIGH SCHOOLS North High School

(440) 283-2178

South High School

(440) 283-2180

NCI Eastlake

(440) 283-4087

NCI Willoughby

(440) 283-4088 Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

Important Info & Updates Questions?

Email us anytime at PR@weschools.org

DISTRICT CALENDAR 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR DISTRICT MASTER CALENDAR - allows you to filter calendar events by school and dates, print and export the calendar for transfer to electronic device W-E Tip! Check your school's website for any additional events by the school or parent/booster organizations.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION? Do you have a question about the Willoughby-Eastlake School District and you are not sure who to ask?

STEP 1: Go to the source of your question.

Classroom related - contact your child's teacher Building related - contact your building administrator W-E Website - our website has lots of great information Not sure? Contact the Board of Education Office at (440) 946-5000 or email pr@weschools.org and someone will be happy to assist you.

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Teach - Learn - Grow Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools - 35353 Curtis Blvd. - Eastlake, OH 44095